Sounds Like Phillies Are Out On Major Free Agents … But Not Out On Kris Bryant?

I found the tenor of this Scott Lauber write-up out of Philadelphia to be pretty interesting for all its emphasis that the Phillies were done making big financial commitments this offseason (notable, on its own, for any Josh-Donaldson-related implications), but not necessarily out on a particular trade target.

I wasn’t aware that the Phillies were among the many clubs aiming (sigh) to stay under the luxury tax, but apparently they are: “For now, though, the Phillies intend to stay below the $208 million bar. And once this week’s agreement with free-agent shortstop Didi Gregorius is finalized, they will be roughly $6 million short of that mark. Barring a surprise intervention from Middleton, then, the Phillies’ heaviest offseason lifting is finished.”

So, then, no additional big contracts for a team that added Gregorius and Zack Wheeler to their 81-win group, which also overhauled their coaching staff. Enough to be competitive in the very good NL East? Sure, maybe so. Andrew McCutchen could come back healthy and strong. Jake Arrieta might do the same. Bryce Harper is capable of a monster season. JT Realmuto is a stud. They’ve got the roster of a team that might be pretty good, or might float around .500 again.

Frankly, I’m not all about evaluating the Phillies’ chances of success as currently constructed. I am just saying, I see how they could easily use another piece. But if they’re tapped out on payroll, and if there are no takers out there for Jay Bruce or Jean Segura, then, as Lauber wrote, they’re probably done.

… which is what made this concluding section stick out to me so much:

“Now that Rendon is an Angel, Josh Donaldson will soon sign with the Nationals … or the Braves … or the Rangers. Regardless, there’s about to be a loser in the game of musical third basemen.

That’s where Bryant comes in.

The Cubs want to clear payroll space and appear unlikely to agree on an extension with the 2016 NL MVP. They surely will want a haul of prospects and big leaguers, and a ruling on whether Bryant is eligible for free agency after 2020 or the following year isn’t expected for weeks.

The Phillies have run from trade talks involving third-base prospect Alec Bohm. Getting Bryant also would push them into luxury-tax territory. But Middleton loves superstars, and Bryant is pals with Harper. So, until he’s dealt to another third base-needy team, Phillies fans might as well stay tuned.”

So, the Phillies are probably tapped out on cash and they’re probably done … except maybe not for Bryant, specifically? Kind of a weird and particular exclusion, no? I’ll try not to get any more conspiratorial than I’ve already been about the various leaks and rumors and pushback and gamesmanship going on, but it definitely strikes me as odd that Bryant is carved out like this.

As we’ve discussed, the Phillies aren’t a great match for the Cubs in a Bryant trade, and they extremely aren’t a great match if they’re not willing to talk about top third base prospect Alec Bohm or top pitching prospect Spencer Howard.

In any case, should the Cubs wind up marketing Bryant to the Josh Donaldson losers to see if a monster offer is out there, all the better that the Phillies would still be in the mix. Maybe the fit works, maybe it doesn’t. But you want as many teams at the table as possible – especially if three of them are competing in the same division.

written by

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

more cubs news

Finally, a Team Wanted the Reigning NL Cy Young Winner

The rumors all wound up being true: Blake Snell would take a two-year deal in the $60 million range, the Giants were probably the favorites now, and the pressure was on to get something done. Per Jon Heyman, it two...

Blake Snell’s Reasonable Price Tag? Why Jordan Montgomery Might Wait a Little Longer?

A couple updates on the top remaining - yup, still - free agent starting pitchers, lefties Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery. Although rumors picked up on Snell and the Astros late last week, no signing news dropped. It was surprising,...

Garrett Crochet Will Start on Opening Day for the White Sox, Marking an Extreme Rarity

We don't cover the White Sox around here in a particularly close way - maybe a touch more than other non-NL-Central clubs because of the intracity interest - but this was surprising and interesting enough for me to note. The...

Chicago Cubs Shortstop Prospect Jefferson Rojas Wants to Be Javy Báez

I haven’t exactly made it a secret that Jefferson Rojas is one of my favorite prospects in the Chicago Cubs’ farm system. After debuting in the DSL at 17, Rojas skipped complex ball and wound up at Low-A Myrtle Beach...

Taillon Throwing and a Roster Benefit, Amaya Catching, Friedl Wrist, Williams, Alonso, and Other Cubs Bullets

You know, if Seiya really rakes, and Cody hits again, and if Nico and Happ get on base a ton and Busch turns out to be a stud, and if Dansby is above average and Amaya breaks out and Morel...

Spring Training Miscellany: Celebrate With a Green Beer, Happ Returns, Assad Solid, Cubs Win

The Cubs won their St. Patrick's Day game over the Rangers 8-6 today, and it's time to tip back a green one in celebration ... About what you'd want to see from Javier Assad today as he continues to stretch...

Chicago Cubs Lineup: Ian Happ is Back!

*SHORT COURTS: It's Time To Bring The Home Court, Home! Looking for a unique way to celebrate your athlete or team before you peruse this Chicago Cubs lineup? Don't miss out! For a limited time only, RECEIVE 10% OFF your...

The Third Cut Includes Mervis, Four Others

(Hear the song in your mind - it still fits!) The Chicago Cubs made their next set of cuts from big league camp today, sending out five players who were generally not expected to make the Opening Day roster. The...

Spring Leaders, Key Injuries, Rays Payroll, Luck of the Irish, and Other Cubs Bullets

A mighty fine St. Patrick's Day to you all. Although I've got a good bit of Irish in my blood, it's never been something I've connected to all that much. You can't really force it, but I kinda want to...

Spring Training Miscellany: Cubs Sweep the Split-Squad Day

It was a split-squad day for the Cubs today, and they won both by a total of two runs. It was 4-3 over the Angels and 8-7 over the Royals. The only teams with a better spring record than the...

Latest News

De’Aaron Fox Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Grizzlies – Monday, March 18, 2024

To beat his 3-point prop, De'Aaron Fox must make three from beyond the arc on Monday, when his Sacramento Kings face the Memphis Grizzlies, tipping off at 10:00 PM ET.De'Aaron Fox's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the GrizzliesDe'Aaron Fox's over/under for...

Malik Monk Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Grizzlies – Monday, March 18, 2024

Will Malik Monk make three 3-pointers when the Sacramento Kings face the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday at 10:00 PM ET? If so, he'll beat his prop for the game.Malik Monk's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the GrizzliesMalik Monk's over/under for three-pointers...

Bogdan Bogdanovic Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Lakers – Monday, March 18, 2024

At 10:30 PM ET on Monday, it'll be the Atlanta Hawks against the Los Angeles Lakers, with Bogdan Bogdanovic needing three trifectas to beat his 3-pointer prop.Bogdan Bogdanovic's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the LakersBogdan Bogdanovic's over/under for three-pointers in this...

Anthony Davis Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Monday, March 18, 2024

The Los Angeles Lakers face the Atlanta Hawks at 10:30 PM ET on Monday, and one of the 3-pointer over/unders available for this clash requires just one make from Anthony Davis.Anthony Davis' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksAnthony Davis' over/under...

Dejounte Murray Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Lakers – Monday, March 18, 2024

To beat his 3-point over/under, Dejounte Murray must make four from downtown on Monday, when his Atlanta Hawks face the Los Angeles Lakers, tipping off at 10:30 PM ET.Dejounte Murray's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the LakersDejounte Murray's over/under for three-pointers...

D’Angelo Russell Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Monday, March 18, 2024

To beat his 3-point over/under, D'Angelo Russell must make three from beyond the arc on Monday, when his Los Angeles Lakers play the Atlanta Hawks, starting at 10:30 PM ET.D'Angelo Russell's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksD'Angelo Russell's over/under for...

LeBron James Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Monday, March 18, 2024

To beat his 3-point over/under, LeBron James needs to make three from downtown on Monday, when his Los Angeles Lakers face the Atlanta Hawks on Monday at 10:30 PM ET.LeBron James' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksLeBron James' over/under for...

Finally, a Team Wanted the Reigning NL Cy Young Winner

The rumors all wound up being true: Blake Snell would take a two-year deal in the $60 million range, the Giants were probably the favorites now, and the pressure was on to get something done. Per Jon Heyman, it two...

Damian Lillard Pulled Up to Watch the Bulls Play the Trail Blazers

Damian Lillard wants to be traded to the Chicago Bulls confirmed. The Milwaukee Bucks All-Star starter was a surprise guest at the Chicago Bulls' Monday night game. Lillard made the drive down from Milwaukee for an opportunity to sit courtside...

Rockets vs. Wizards Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

The Houston Rockets (32-35) are favored (-5.5) to continue a five-game win streak when they visit the Washington Wizards (11-57) at 7:00 PM ET on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at Capital One Arena. The matchup airs on MNMT. The matchup...

more cubs news